-- Last Updated: Jul-13-10 10:32 PM EST --
...... 1/2" is what I prefer , always feels better in the hand than smaller or larger diameters , and ties up well .
Some like 1/2" high end braid polyesters , we use that on power boats , good stuff .
I have 2 - 25' or 30' ropes on board with me in the canoe always (and a sharp knife) . I'll use these same ropes for auto tie downs alot too , then just transfer them to the canoe .
25' has always been enough to anchore in the rivers , and if I should ever need deeper (which I never do) , both ropes can be joined real easy ... having one with the anchore tied on and the other for roping the canoe to a log or something during a shore stop if needed (mostly just leave the canoe floating and tied off to something - if it's beach I'll drag it up of course) .
My ropes have a tied loop (8") on one end only , that loop is real handy , makes for a quick attach to most anything and comes off just as easy ... makes the ropes very versatile .
Another way is too tie a large loop on one end of the rope used for the anchor ... large (long) enough so that when you attach the loop to the carry handle , the loop can stradle the end deck plate , it slips over the stern or bow point , that keeps the anchor centered right off the end as opposed to off to the side a little .
You'll like the river anchor , 12 lb. feels a little heavy but I'm ok with that , it's really no big deal .